Project Management Office Director (PMOD) Environmental Science and Technology

Project Management Office Director

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation's biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation's power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

Responsibilities:

This position executes and continually enhances a codified, replicable process for innovating products and services that distinguishes PNNL from its competitors and manages project risks. The Project Management Office Director (PMOD) supports the achievement of the Laboratory Mission Outcomes assigned to the Directorate and serves as the expert delivery steward for the Directorate. The PMOD oversees all aspects of expert delivery, including acceptance and management of project risk and interfacing with project managers, Team Leaders, Group Leaders, Division Directors, Market Sector Directors and clients to deliver programmatic outcomes having national impact. Projects within this PMO are generally associated with environmental sciences; many projects involve extensive field work. Key sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), the U.S. DOE Office of Environmental Management (EM), the U.S. DOE Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy (HGEO), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and others.

• Consistent with Market Sector plans, contribute to the development of competitive proposals based on value propositions for key customers.
• Assure project risks are properly identified at the proposal stage, addressed in planning, formally accepted, and can be fully mitigated during project execution.
• Ensure cost estimates for proposals and Annual Operating Plan (AOP) submittals are appropriate and capture all aspects of project costs.
• Fully engage in the AOP and Project Management Plan (PMP) preparation and submittal processes to ensure work is adequately planned, milestones are defined, and risks are mitigated.
• Continuously monitor progress against AOPs and PMPs.
• Assure execution of the planning and delivery of results.
• In collaboration with the EED Operations Manager and the EED Chief Operating Officer, lead and shape discussions around offsite field research and find opportunities for continuous improvement of safe operations and healthy safety culture in offsite fieldwork.
• Assure that projects are executed in a safe, secure, environmentally conscious, and operationally compliant manner.
• Assure that appropriate quality steps are taken to guarantee that products are technically sound and can be relied upon by the sponsor.
• Oversee the creation of intellectual property (IP); maintain close involvement in the discovery, development, and deployment of IP.
• Review and approve significant changes to project scope commensurate with adjustments in budget and schedule.
• Ensure attention and resources are focused on delivering maximum value to Directorate and Lab strategy.
• Guide and mentor project managers (PM) in the implementation of an integrated, graded approach for all project execution steps, including the proposal development and product delivery process.
• Work with cognizant market sector, contracts, finance, line management, and the PM to assure establishment of adequate budgets, realistic schedules and align appropriate resources for performing the work so that high-quality products are delivered to sponsors on time and within budget.
• Assure PMs fully understand and meet or exceed client expectations for content, quality and delivery.
• Tailor management system processes and staffing models to support reliable delivery of high-quality results.
• Perform resource loading assessments to provide line management with hiring gaps.
• Assist in identification of capability gaps and investments required to execute Market Sector plans.
• As requested by Market Sector Directors, provide ongoing communications with the sponsors on project progress to obtain feedback.

Accountabilities:

To Associate Laboratory Director/Chief Operating Officer for:

• Assuring that all significant risks have been identified, fit within operational boundaries, and can be appropriately mitigated before authorizing proposals to be released and funded projects to proceed.
• Providing management oversight to confirm project execution and risk mitigations are effective.
• Assuring projects are properly staffed, planned, and executed to produce high quality deliverables.

To Project Managers for:

• Communicating PMOD expectations for project management discipline and oversight.

To Sector Directors for:

• Assuring projects are properly executed to produce high quality deliverables on time and within budget.
• Active participation in visits by sponsors as requested.

To Division Directors/Group Leaders for:

• Providing high-quality performance feedback for staff to enhance professional development.
• Providing input to capability development needs and strategies.

Provides leadership and management to multi-year projects and programs with high client and/or PNNL impact. Has an established network with senior-level management across the Lab complex, multiple client sets and external stakeholders. Leverages key-client relationships to create future business for PNNL and/or Battelle. Provides leadership in managing very large, complex multi-year projects and programs with high client and/or Battelle impact or investment, coordinates widely diversified and geographically dispersed project teams, and seamlessly coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure expert delivery. Leverages senior level client relationships to promote business development and strategy.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Qualifications:
• BS/BA and 13+ years of relevant project management experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 11 years of relevant project management experience
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree plus 15 years of experience or advanced degree plus 13 years of experience.
• 10 or more years of experience relevant to project management and depth of knowledge in science and/or methods needed to deliver project objectives.
• A background in environmental-related science and technologies and projects is preferred. Firsthand experience conducting offsite fieldwork including boating is preferred.
• Professional Expertise:
• Must possess demonstrated technical leadership and management skills.
• Graduate of PNNL leadership programs, PMP certification or demonstrated equivalent (knowledge competency criteria).
• Strong, proven interpersonal communications, problem solving, and human relations skills are also needed to communicate well with staff, management, and external clients/groups.
• Extensive experience and documented business success over a 5-year period.
• A sound knowledge of PNNL policies and procedures for conducting offsite fieldwork, in addition to research facilities and their operational requirements, is required.
• Breadth of Relevant Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Understanding of the technical capabilities of the project management office and its role in the Battelle Customer Service Model is required.
• The incumbent must be familiar with laboratory and facility operations and must be knowledgeable enough to work with staff to mitigate potential hazards encountered in these environments. Must also have understanding of field research activities.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment: Not Applicable

Additional Information:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including